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Environmental Impact Statement Remanded Biological Opinions on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley

Environmental Impact Statement Remanded Biological Opinions on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project. Public Scoping Meetings Agenda. Overview Scoping process Public comment forum. Purpose of Scoping. Invite public comments

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Environmental Impact Statement Remanded Biological Opinions on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley

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  1. Environmental Impact Statement Remanded Biological Opinions on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project

  2. Public Scoping Meetings Agenda • Overview • Scoping process • Public comment forum

  3. Purpose of Scoping • Invite public comments • Obtain insights and specific local information related to issues for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) • Obtain input on alternatives to be considered in the EIS • PLEASE PROVIDE WRITTEN COMMENTS, TOO!

  4. Why is Reclamation Preparing this EIS?

  5. What is a Biological Opinion? • Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act requires: • Federal agencies, in consultation with USFWS and/or the NMFS, to ensure that actions they authorize, fund, or implement are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of federally-listed threatened or endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat of these species • A BO is the technical document that evaluates the effects of the Federal action • If jeopardy is likely, a BO may include a RPA

  6. What is an EIS? • Purpose of an EIS • To evaluate a reasonable range of alternatives • To identify potential benefits and adverse impacts, and propose mitigation to reduce/avoid impacts • To provide information for public review and comment • To support decision making process by the Federal agency • Prepared in accordance with NEPA • An EIS addresses more issues than a BO • Water Resources • Other Physical Resources - such as Air Quality • Biological Resources - including non- federally-listed threatened or endangered species • Human Resources - including land use, socioeconomics, and cultural resources

  7. What will this EIS Consider? • This EIS will consider conditions through 2030 • This EIS will consider the operational components of the USFWS and NMFS RPAs or alternatives to the RPAs • This EIS will include both site-specific and programmatic analyses based upon available definition of potential actions within the alternatives

  8. When will the EIS be Complete? • March 2012 Initiate Scoping for EIS Deadlines in accordance with Court Orders • December 2013 Final EIS associated with USFWS BO • April 2016 Final EIS associated with NMFS BO

  9. Public Input During Scoping Process • Your input will help shape the EIS • What alternatives should be considered? • What environmental issues should be evaluated? • When and how would you like to be informed? • What happens to comments? • Comments will be compiled in a Scoping Report which will be made available to the public on Reclamation's website

  10. How Can You Provide Comments? • Comments for Scoping Report due May 29, 2012 • To provide comments today • Comment Cards • Verbal Comments • Individual comments to transcriber • To provide comments after today until May 29, 2012 • Email: jpinero@usbr.gov ORFax: (916) 414-2439 • Mail: Janice Piñero, Endangered Species Act Specialist Bureau of Reclamation, Bay-Delta Office 801 I Street, Suite 140 Sacramento, CA 95814-2536

  11. Scoping Meeting Guidelines • Ensure everyone's participation • Meeting is structured to give everyone an opportunity to participate • Respect each other's comments • Listen carefully to other participants • Place cell phones/pagers on vibrate and silent mode • Honor time limits • Please keep comments concise so everyone has an opportunity to speak • Identify yourself and your affiliation • This will help the transcriber, Reclamation staff, and the audience

  12. Guidelines for Verbal Comments • Fill out a Speaker Card and submit to facilitator • Everyone will be heard • Please be respectful • Please limit comments to 3 minutes • All comments will be recorded by a transcriber • Please introduce yourself and affiliation to help the transcriber • Reclamation is here to listen

  13. For More Information • www.usbr.gov/mp/BayDeltaOffice • Sign up to receive periodic electronic updates on sign-in sheet • Provide comments throughout preparation of EIS

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